October 6, 2025
At age 90, Gene Gaffney, a proud 1957 Mayville State graduate and 1992 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, continues to inspire through a life devoted to music and service. His journey as a teacher, conductor, and community leader is a testament to the enduring impact of passion, purpose, and personal commitment.
Gene’s career in education began in Neche, N.D., continued in Lakota, N.D., and eventually led him to Detroit Lakes, Minn., where he made a lasting mark. Today, he remains a vital part of the community as the director of the Lakes Area Community Band, a role he has embraced since the band’s founding in 2006. For 19 years, Gene has led with heart and harmony, sharing his musical gifts and enriching the lives of countless individuals.
Interestingly, Gene’s path to music wasn’t always clear. He arrived at Mayville State with a love for sports and participated for four years as a student-athlete, serving as quarterback of the football team. It was an introductory music course that sparked a new passion in Gene, inspiring him to change his major from social science to music. That pivotal moment would shape the course of his life and the lives of those he would go on to teach and inspire.
Gene’s dedication to Mayville State didn’t end with graduation. In 1976, he joined forces with fellow alumni Dennis Hopman, Del Hultgren, and Paul Maltrud to establish the Mayville State University Golf Classic in Detroit Lakes. Their vision and hard work created more than just a tournament. The “Classic” became a cherished tradition and a powerful force for good.
Thanks to their efforts, the “Classic” grew into the oldest medal play university golf tournament in the world. For more than four decades, alumni and friends gathered in Detroit Lakes each June for a weekend of camaraderie, celebration, and support for Mayville State. The event became a beloved reunion, a time to reconnect and reflect on the shared values instilled at “The School of Personal Service.”
The legacy of the Golf Classic lives on through several endowed scholarships, ensuring that future generations of Comets can pursue their dreams with the same support and encouragement that Gene and his fellow alumni received.
Today, the “Classic” tournament continues in a scramble format under the leadership of the Comet Athletic Club, benefiting Mayville State’s student-athletes and preserving the spirit of giving and connection that has defined it from the start.
Time and again, we witness the extraordinary ways in which Mayville State alumni shape the world around them. Gene Gaffney is a shining example of this legacy. His life’s work, both in music and in service to his alma mater, reflects the very best of what it means to be a Comet.
We congratulate Gene. We celebrate his remarkable journey. And above all, we thank him - for his music, his mentorship, and his unwavering love for Mayville State University.
To learn more about Gene’s inspiring story, watch his recent interview featured on Lakes Area Television’s “6 Over 60” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBqmgEPpmf4.